Your vessel arrives in port with sufficient fuel to steam 726 miles at 16 knots. If you are unable to take on bunkers, at what speed must you proceed to reach your next port, 873 miles distant?

Correct Answer: Option A — 14.6 knots

Applying the cubic fuel consumption law for marine propulsion, final speed is calculated using the formula: $V_2 = V_1 \times \sqrt[3]{D_1 / D_2}$. Substituting the known values, $16 \times \sqrt[3]{726 / 873}$ results in 14.6 knots, maintaining the vessel's energy reserves safely to the next destination.